The reasons for the existence of inequalities in the enjoyment of the right to education may vary depending on the indicator in question, as illustrated by the analysis of Katarina Tomaševski, regarding the gender gap in outcome education indicators:

“The existing quantitative data have identified three facets of the gender gap. The difference in male / female illiteracy rate is a reflection of the heritage of unequal access to education, the difference in male / female enrolment points to continuing unequal access, while the male / female difference in the completion of the full cycle of primary education indicates that getting girls into school does not necessarily lead to their staying at school.”

Source: Tomaševski K (1999) Preliminary report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education.